The bill modifies existing laws governing irrigation districts in Kansas, particularly focusing on the election procedures for the board of directors. It introduces the option for elections to be conducted via mail ballot, especially for districts exceeding 35,000 acres, and grants the board the authority to determine the term lengths for elected members, which can be set at two, three, or four years. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of a "dam" and specifies what constitutes a water obstruction. It also outlines the responsibilities of the chief engineer of the division of water resources in overseeing the election process and permitting for water obstructions, emphasizing safety and property protection.

Moreover, the bill revises the requirements for obtaining permits related to the construction and modification of water obstructions and dams. It eliminates the need for written consent or a permit for hazard class A dams under certain conditions, such as those less than 30 feet in height and with a storage volume of less than 125 acre-feet, provided their details are registered. The legislation establishes civil penalties for violations, categorizing them as class C misdemeanors with fines ranging from $100 to $500 per violation, and mandates that penalties collected be deposited into the state treasury for the water structures fund. The act will take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 42-706, 75-4215